Casting for Recovery Retreat

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sherry7
sherry7 Member Posts: 200
edited June 2014 in Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
Hey everyone I just returned from a Casting for Recovery retreat in Elkton Oregon.  The website to sign up for a retreat in your area is:  www.castingforrecovery.org  It was the most healing experiance I have had in the two years of my journey with breast cancer and lymphedema.  We were taught to fly fish, we had nurses and councilors there to help with anything that came up.  We did support talks, we sang, laughed, hugged, cried, learned how to cast and this is a completely free of cost retreat solely for breast cancer survivors, women so far.  I spent the cost of the gas to drive two and a half hours and the rest, cabins and food, gear we used, everything was provided.  We were pampered and entertained and came home with so many gifts that were made just for us by people there from the organization.  The retreat came to an end with us all singing and signing "You lift me up" and then we were all surprised with our own fly rods and reels, the reels are actually pink with pink line on a purple rod, amazing.  They even set us up with two boxes of fly's.  I highly recommend this program, its more than the gifts that are tangible, its the adventure and river that made it all worth while.  I came home with a new sense of strength and hope and looking forward to a fishing future with other sisters.  I have new friends now that totally understand our trials and tribulations.  I feel so blessed and greatful and am going to spread the word.  They are waiting to find out who needs them and get you to a retreat.  Its their mission.  love and light all....
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  • stillrusty
    stillrusty Member Posts: 120
    edited October 2008

    I just had my Casting for Recovery retreat this past weekend. It really is an amazing experience. I'm going to periodically bump this up, because I also want more women to know about it. On our weekend we were joined on Sunday by Hoda Kotb. they filmed it for the Today show. I also very very blessed to have gone to this retreat. You really do feel like a queen for the weekend. Not to mention so many new friends I have made.

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  • bluewillow
    bluewillow Member Posts: 779
    edited October 2008

    Stillrusty,

    Thank you for bumping this up-- It sounds awesome and I know you must have had a wonderful time!  I read about CFR last year when I was in the midst of my dx and wish I'd remembered to apply for it this summer.  One of the sites for the Southeast is the beautiful Lake Logan Center in Canton, NC, which is about 6 miles from my house!  Do you know how far in advance you can apply?  I'd love to hear more about your experience if you care to share!

    Best regards,

    Mary Jo 

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  • wishiwere
    wishiwere Member Posts: 3,793
    edited October 2008

    So, you go to these alone.  Just you?

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  • stillrusty
    stillrusty Member Posts: 120
    edited October 2008

    It is a retreat- they have room for 14 women at a time. It is for all women with breast cancer. You don't have to be recently diagnosed. You go alone- no families if that is what you mean.  You arrive at the hotel on Friday afternoon. You check in and pick up your gear for the weekend etc. All meals and hotel stay are provided at no cost to you. Mary Jo, I don't know when the sign ups begin for next year, but if you go to the web site you can sign up for the newsletter. It is a very enriching experience. You do only what you want to do....but you will want to do everything. There are social workers and nurses who volunteer their time and help run groups or are there for any questions you may have. Other participants share their concerns. I guess each retreat is a little different, but I would highly recommend it to everybody. Many of the volunteers are bc survivors themselves. I think I was the only one on my retreat that had ever fished before. Most who sign up for it have never even thought about it. Our day on the river was filmed by the Today show. It should air later this month. they told us Oct 15th...but those things can change....you never know. This was a weekend I will never forget. As Sherry mentioned above, it is a healing experience. As women, we are also care givers. Cancer doesn't stop us from having to still be Mom's  etc. But on this weekend- everybody is taking care of you. There are waiting lists for some retreats. I don't know how difficult it is to get in each one. But it is worth it to keep applying if you don't get in first try. Wishiwere, don't worry about going alone. You just need to get there, and once you are there- you will not feel alone. You won't want to leave on Sunday.

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited October 2008

    Mary Jo Here is the web site of the retreat in Canton www.WindRiverServices.com

    I am on their email list but because of the filters at the office I am unable to view the site any more from the office, I have to go to my sisters house to view it. I was sent their email newsletter August 15.

    Sheila

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2008

    I went on a CFR retreat a month or so ago - and agree that it is a fabulous weekend... You truly are treated like a queen all weekend ..  just incredible support and fabulous food at the one I went to in Northern California.   I think all of the retreats are a little bit different -   we got tons of gifts inlcuding flys, hats, shirts,  an ornament, pink rubber duck, a CD - every meal there seemed to be another gift at our chairs ...  totally unexpected!  At ours - the retreat leader had built two fly rods from kits and we each got a ticket - and two tickets were pulled out of a hat.  Very nice thing to do ... 

    I think you can request to have the application sent to you in advance and when they have the events scheduled for next year they will mail you the application.   One of the ladies at my retreat had signed up 3 times before being picked to attend.  They choose by a lottery system.  

    I can't say enough about the retreat -  it's fabulous and I'd highly encourage you to sign up and hope you'll be selected to attend.

    Doreen 

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  • lazeechic
    lazeechic Member Posts: 43
    edited October 2008

    HI

    I went on a casting for recovery 2 years ago in Ontario, Canada.  It was great, since then I have become an avid fly fisher, got new equipment for my birthday and have been enjoying it ever since. 

    I endorse this program for anyone to attend even if you don't normally like to fish, was a wonderful experience for me

    lazeechic

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  • bluewillow
    bluewillow Member Posts: 779
    edited October 2008

    Hi ladies,

    I love reading about your experiences with CFR.  I would feel so privileged to be selected to take part in it.  I love to fish, mainly for small mouth bass and bream in our local rivers, but never really got into fly fishing, so I see it as an awesome opportunity.  Even better than a cruise, to me anyway!

    I checked out Wind River Services website and what a wonderful opportunity that would be too.  Sheila, thanks for the website link. 

    Mary Jo 

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  • stillrusty
    stillrusty Member Posts: 120
    edited October 2008

    OK, It is confirmed

    The today show, which filmed part of our retreat with Hoda Kotb, will air October 15th, from 8am-11:00am EDT.  This will be great to watch if you are interested in learning more about a CFR retreat.

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  • stillrusty
    stillrusty Member Posts: 120
    edited October 2008

    http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/27198318#27198318

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  • maryinga
    maryinga Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2008

    stillrusty, I just attended a Casting For Recovery reunion at Lake Logan, it was absolutely wonderful.  We didn't get to fish much, it was windy and cold, but the food was wonderful, the cabins were completely delightful and the fellowship was inspiring.  I attended a Casting For Recovery retreat in August of last year at the Terra Nova Center in Brevard, had a wonderful time, but we have a reunion every year at Lake Logan.  Now the original retreat is free, you are treated wonderfully , gift bags, hats, small gifts every evening, etc.  , but we have to pay for the reunion, however, I believe there is help for that if you need it.  Well worth the money, Lake Logan is a great place. 

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  • lindsaycharleylong
    lindsaycharleylong Member Posts: 4
    edited June 2009
    I attend this reunion each year and I look forward to rooming with my roommate from my retreat in 2006 at Green River, NC.  I am now the coordinator for the TN-1 retreat and we had a blast this past April at The Lodge at Buckberry Creek in Gatlinburg.   I want to let everyone know this year's retreats are going full speed.  Go to the website www.castingforrecovery.org and apply for the retreat in your service area.  If there is not a retreat available, apply for the Skytop PA retreat.  There are deadlines for each retreat.  Ladies if you are not drawn the first year keep applying, even tho they say your name will roll to the next year - apply each year.  It took me 4 years before I was selected.  You will truly be amazed at the life experience.  You can see pictures of the TN-1 retreat at www.myspace.com/castingforrecoveryeasttn.
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  • bluewillow
    bluewillow Member Posts: 779
    edited June 2009

    Hi Lindsaycharleylong,

    I am SO glad you posted, for it jogged my memory to send off my application before the deadline this Friday for the retreat at The Lake Logan Center here in Canton, NC!  I am so excited, not only for myself, but for anyone who gets to participate in CFR.  I will check out your pictures asap!  And I would love to hear from anyone who has participated.  Even if I am not picked this year, I will keep applying, and good luck to anyone who applies!

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited June 2009

    I just got selected to go to the Casting for Recovery retreat in Skytop, PA in August '09.  I''m so exicted!  I saw the today show piece and decided while watching that I wanted to go.  I live in SoCal and there is no retreat in my area....so I'll be flying to PA.

    Can't wait!  If anyone else is going, please post!!!!

    Lisa

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  • bluewillow
    bluewillow Member Posts: 779
    edited June 2009

    Hi there Lisa,   

    CONGRATULATIONS on being selected!!!  I applied to the one at the Lake Logan Center in Canton, NC, and I'm still waiting to hear.  Oh, you are going to have so much fun, and a nice long get-away trip too!!  Cool

    Just curious-- How long after the registration deadline did you get your notification of acceptance and did you get the notice via phone, email, or postal letter?

    Mary Jo

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited June 2009

    Hi Mary Jo,

    The deadline for my location was this past Friday.  I emailed Casting for Recovery on Monday and they had just drawn names.  They were nice enough to let me know that my name was chosen!  They said they were sending out letters that same day.  I haven't received it yet....probably by the end of the week.

     When is the deadline for your location?

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  • bluewillow
    bluewillow Member Posts: 779
    edited June 2009

    HI Lisa,

    The deadline for my location was also last Friday, June 5.  I understood that they let you know one way or another, if you have or have not been selected, which is nice. 

    I want to hear all about your experience with CFR, ok?  Smile  Do you fish?  I have never fly-fished, but I do river fish for small mouth bass, and lake fish for crappie.  I love it!!!!

    Mary Jo

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited June 2009

    Hi Mary Jo,

    I don't fish at all.  I grew up in San Diego and fished once off the pier near my childhood home, but that's the total of my experience LOL!

    I remember seeing "a river runs through" or whatever that movie was called and thinking it looked so cool! 

    Why don't you email the people at casting for recovery tomorrow?  I'm sure they'll look it up to see if you got in or not!

    Regardless, I'll tell you ALL about it!

    Lisa

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  • bluewillow
    bluewillow Member Posts: 779
    edited June 2009

    Hello!

    I just received my Casting For Recovery letter in the mail, and I stared at it for 15 minutes before opening it... I was selected as an alternate!!!!!!!!  I am very happy to even get that far, but it is VERY bittersweet!!! I don't want to sit and wish and hope for someone to have to drop out so I can participate.  Since I live so close (if no tourists get in my way, I can be at the Lake in about 8 minutes Wink) I am thinking of asking if I can just come and help out in some way.  Just seeing other survivors having fun would be great!

    Good luck to anyone who also applied to the Lake Logan Retreat location!

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited June 2009

    BlueWillow - i'm sorry that you only got alternate!  but....the woman told me that there are always lots of drop outs.  just the nature of having a bunch of women who may still be going thru treatment, or may have issues because of it.

    so, don't give up yet!  given that you're so close, you can take a last minute spot!

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  • lindsaycharleylong
    lindsaycharleylong Member Posts: 4
    edited June 2009

    Oh Blue Willow,

    Send in all of your paperwork in ASAP even though you are an alternate.  I am sad to say with it being cancer, there are always cancellations and be ready to go at the last minute.  For both retreats here in TN there were cancellations on the last day and we had to find someone pronto to attend.  They had their bags packed.  I think for the TN-1 retreat there were a total of 5 cancellations and for the TN-2 retreat, 5 cancellations.

    At the Pisgah National Wildlife Center (?), they have beginning fly-fishing classes for free.  They will provide all the equipment.  You will have class first in the morning and then after lunch you will go out that afternoon for about 3 hours with a guide.  The woman that is the instructor there, Linda, has also been an instructor at the NC CFR retreats.  So if you do not get to attend this year, you can get a taste of fly fishing and they have some monsters in that stream.

    Keep your fingers crossed!

     Lindsay

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  • lindsaycharleylong
    lindsaycharleylong Member Posts: 4
    edited September 2009

    Okay BlueWillow and LisaLisa - I know your retreats were absolutely fantastic but I want to hear the fish tales and how big they were.  It would also be great for you to let everyone know about your experience.  I know the staff members for the NC retreat and I will be there in Nov for the reunion retreat which is also a blast BlueWillow but I do not know the staff at Skytop but I am always having people apply for that retreat.

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  • chefmb
    chefmb Member Posts: 24
    edited June 2011

    Still Rusty,

    Which location did you attend? I live in NYC and upstate NY and applied to the Adirondack location but unfortunately didn't get in. They only take 14 people per session. 

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